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N683 Remark Code: Prior Treatment Records Needed

N683 means documentation of the patient's prior treatment was missing, incomplete, or invalid. The payer needs to see what was already tried or done before it can decide on the current service, for example to confirm earlier therapy failed or to apply replacement rules.

Quick facts

Code
N683 (RARC N683)
Status
Active In use since November 1, 2013.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The provider needs to supply the history. The patient should not be billed while documentation is outstanding.
Official description
Missing/Incomplete/Invalid prior treatment documentation.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N683 means

A payer’s decision about today’s service often depends on yesterday’s care. It may need to know that conservative treatment was tried before surgery, that a medication failed before a more expensive one, or when a crown or prosthesis was previously placed before paying for a new one. N683 says the payer asked for that treatment history and didn’t receive a usable version.

It appears on medical and dental claims alike. The remark is broad, so read the payer’s request to learn what history it wants.

Common causes

  • The payer’s policy requires documented prior treatment, and only current notes were sent.
  • The history was described vaguely, without dates, duration, or results.
  • Earlier treatment was provided elsewhere and never obtained.
  • The records sent covered a different condition, body area, or tooth.
  • Pages were missing from a longer record.

How to fix it

  1. Identify what history the payer needs from the request or its policy, including the time frame.
  2. Assemble the records: dates, what was done, by whom, for how long, and the outcome.
  3. Obtain outside records with the patient’s authorization when treatment happened elsewhere.
  4. Send a concise cover summary pointing the reviewer to each required element, with the records attached.
  5. Submit through the payer’s attachment process, or with a corrected claim using resubmission code 7 if the payer requires a new claim.

How to prevent it

For services that commonly require proof of earlier treatment, collect it before the service, ideally during prior authorization. Record outside treatment history in the chart at intake so it is available when a payer asks.

Codes that may appear with N683

  • CO-252 (An attachment/other documentation is required to adjudicate this claim/service.): Documentation is required to adjudicate the claim.
  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): The claim lacks information needed for adjudication.
  • N682 (Missing/Incomplete/Invalid history of prior periodontal therapy/maintenance.): Specifically, periodontal therapy or maintenance history.
  • N674 (Not covered unless a pre-requisite procedure/service has been provided.): The service isn't covered because a prerequisite service wasn't shown.
  • N223 (Missing documentation of benefit to the patient during initial treatment period.): Documentation of benefit to the patient during an initial treatment period is missing.
  • N706 (Missing documentation.): Documentation is missing in general.

N683 FAQ

What kind of prior treatment does the payer mean?

Whatever its policy for the service depends on: earlier conservative treatment, previous procedures on the same area, medications already tried, or a prior prosthesis. The request letter or policy usually specifies.

Is a summary letter enough?

Sometimes. Many payers accept a summary with dates, treatments, and outcomes, but others want the actual records. Follow the payer's request.

What if the patient's earlier treatment was with another provider?

Ask the patient for permission to request those records, or have the patient obtain them. Note in your submission where the treatment took place.